The gardens were in the northern part of Battersea Park, which had been transformed as part of the Festival of Britain. Among its features, were a tree walk and the popular Guinness clock (pictured) which displayed mechanical versions of the characters from the brewer's advertisements. There was also the 'Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Branch Railway' and a fun fair, with the 'Big Dipper' rollercoaster being one its most popular attractions. This was closed down after a serious accident in 1972 in which five children were killed. The fun fair itself closed in 1974.
The fun fair is used as a location in the 1961 film 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire' and the 1954 film 'Doctor in the House' when Dirk Bogarde takes Muriel Pavlow there on a first date.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
